Charles Robert Campbell I

Charles Robert Campbell I was a much loved adventurer of life. He enjoyed riding horses and motorcycles, flying airplanes and traveling. He went to be with his beloved, "Miss Arla Jean," departing his earthly body on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015, three days before the date that was her birthday. Friends are invited to a celebration of his life on Friday, Oct. 30 at 2 p.m. at the Cornerstone Funeral Home, 1830 N. York St. in Muskogee. Graveside services to follow. Pallbearers will be Kenny Greer, Eugene Nottingham, Joe Gates, Ronnie Boswell, Chuck Wiley and Mitchell Rhyne. Born September 7, 1933 to Henry Allen and Dorothy (Ramsey) Campbell in Oklahoma City, his youth was enjoyed on his aunt and uncle’s farm after his mom joined the Women's Army Corps in 1944. At age 16 he joined the Air Force and served two years. After his honorable discharge he followed the rodeo circuit as a bronc rider, until he met and married his lifetime love, Arla Jean Warren on September 12, 1953. To this union two children were born, Charla Renee and Charles Robert II, “Chip.” He is survived by daughter Renee Fite and husband John, of Tahlequah and son Chip, of Tulsa, and his loving little dog and constant companion Annie; grandchildren, Travis Drake of Austin, TX, Kyle Drake of Tahlequah, Larkin Wofford and husband Frank, of Lawton and their children, twins Lillian and Madelin, and brother Milo; Doctors Johnston and Elizabeth Fite of Memphis, TN and Lydian Fite of Tahlequah; also Charles Robert “Chaz” Campbell III, Annika Nicole Campbell and Karlie Madison Campbell of Tulsa; nephews Keith Dumont, and Jerry and wife Jo Ann Dumont, all of New Jersey, and nieces DeAnna Edwards, Jana Martin, of Tahlequah, Marquita Roberts-Tate of Tulsa, and nephews John Allen Campbell and wife Kathy. of Ft. Gibson and Dwight Martin, and wife Sherry, of Tahlequah. Preceding him in death were his wife of 53 years Arla Jean Campbell, his parents and two sisters, Dorothy Allen Martin and husband Dwight, and Patty Ann McCullough and husband Ted; sisters- and brothers-in-law James and Jackie Farrar and Sherman and Helen Dumont, nieces Josianne Farrar Louvier and Janice Dumont Seaman. As a young man Campbell served with the first Muskogee Police motorcycle patrol, and was the first to have two blood hounds, Topsy and Rocket, used in police work, between 1960 and 1965. He moved to other municipal work as Building Inspector and Chief Inspector for the City of Muskogee, and as manager of Davis Field Airport in the 1970s. In the late 70s and 80s he owned Muskogee Wrecker, continuing employment in fields where he could help others. He retired from Flow Serve as regional Safety Inspector and Instructor in 2010. Campbell was a 33rd 1/3 Degree Mason and enjoyed his time as a Shriner, running for the ring as, "the Inspector" in a Sherlock Holmes style black and white plaid coat and hat his wife designed and sewed. He was a member of their first mini-bike group and mounted horseback patrol, riding in many parades. He especially found it rewarding to serve a sponsor of DeMolay's, working with the young men in that organization, in the 1970s. He was always tinkering in his garage. In the 60s it was sports cars. In the early 70s he built three dune buggies, teaching Renee to drive on one of them. Also to hunt, fish, ride motorcycles, and other life lessons he believed important to know to handle herself in life. Known as the neighborhood dad, his garage door was always open and the boys would hang around to talk and learn about whatever he was working on, most often motorcycles. When Chip was about 5, a banana bicycle seat was put on a mini bike so he could ride around the yard, the first of many motorcycles and racing bikes the two would spend hours riding and having fun together on. For his daughters 16th birthday he spent several months searching three counties to find a red Barracuda convertible he thought just the perfect car, writing Happy Birthday with masking tape on the side. When his grandson's Travis and Kyle were in high school, he decided to teach them carpentry skills and about taking care of horses, goats and the chickens in their grandpa's barn. A loyal friend, with a keen sense of humor, he was always quick to lend a helping hand, share a joke or swap a story. Family and friends are better for having known Charlie Campbell and his smile and laughter will be missed from this world.

Charles Robert Campbell I

September 7, 1933 - October 24, 2015